Ogun State is located in southwestern Nigeria, bordered by Lagos State and the Bight of Benin to the south, Ondo State to the east, Oyo and Osun States to the north, and the Republic of Benin to the west. Its capital and largest city is Abeokuta. The state consists of 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Overview
- Area Rank: 24th of 36 states
- Population: ~6.4 million (2020 est.)
- Major Ethnic Groups: Yoruba (Egba, Ijebu, Remo, Yewa, Awori), Egun
- Major Religions: Christianity (majority), Islam (significant), Yoruba traditional religion
- Ecoregions: Nigerian lowland forests, Guinean forest–savanna mosaic (north), Central African mangroves (south)
Geography
- Major Rivers: Ogun River, Yewa River, Osun River
- Conservation Area: Omo Forest Reserve
- Climate: Tropical wet and dry; average temperature ~29.3°C; ~224 rainy days/year
History
- Pre-colonial: Part of the Oyo, Ijebu, and Benin Kingdoms
- Colonial: Incorporated into the Lagos Protectorate (1893), then Southern Nigeria Protectorate (1906), and finally Nigeria (1914)
- Key historical events:
- 1899: Railway to Lagos
- 1930s: Women’s movement led by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
- 1966: Site of a major coup
- Established: 3 February 1976 (from Western State)
Economy
- Industries: Cement (Dangote, Lafarge), manufacturing, food processing, armoured vehicles, drones
- Agriculture: Cassava, maize, cocoa, kola nuts, yams, Ofada rice
- Mineral Resources:
- Clay
- Limestone
- Phosphate
- Bitumen
- Kaolin
- Gemstone
- Feldspar
- Key Fact: Ogun has the second-highest concentration of industries in Nigeria and a low extreme poverty rate (~5%)
Politics & Governance
- Current Governor: Prince Dapo Abiodun (APC), re-elected in 2023
- Capital: Abeokuta
- Electoral System: Modified two-round system
- Senatorial Districts:
- Ogun Central: Egba-dominated
- Ogun East: Ijebu and Remo areas
- Ogun West: Yewa and Awori areas
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
- Abeokuta North
- Abeokuta South
- Ado-Odo/Ota
- Ewekoro
- Ifo
- Ijebu East
- Ijebu North
- Ijebu North-East
- Ijebu Ode
- Ikenne
- Imeko-Afon
- Ipokia
- Obafemi Owode
- Odeda
- Odogbolu
- Ogun Waterside
- Remo North
- Sagamu
- Yewa North
- Yewa South
Religion
Christian Denominations:
- Anglican (10 dioceses)
- Catholic (Dioceses of Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode)
- Pentecostal churches (e.g. Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners Chapel)
Notable Religious Sites:
- Bilikisu Sungbo Shrine, near Ijebu-Ode
- Redemption Camp
- Living Faith Church, Ota
Education
Federal Universities:
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode
State University:
- Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye
Polytechnics:
- Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta
- Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro
- Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade
- Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo
Private Universities:
- Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo
- Covenant University, Ota
- Bells University of Technology, Ota
- Chrisland University, Abeokuta
- Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele
- Others…
Transportation
- Roads: Extensive network including Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Sagamu–Benin Expressway
- Rail:
- Lagos–Abeokuta–Ibadan standard gauge line
- Western Railway (freight)
- Lagos Mass Transit “Red Line” terminates in Agbado, Ogun
- Planned Projects:
- Lagos–Epe airport near Ogun border
- Apapa–Kajola Express rail (in development)
Tourism
- Major Sites:
- Olumo Rock
- Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library
- Omu Resort, Abeokuta
Notable People
External Links
- Official Ogun State Website(#)
- Gateway Polytechnic Saapade(https://gaposa.edu.ng)
- Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic(https://aapoly.edu.ng)